April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Declared a
month to educate the public about child abuse and prevention by President
Ronald Reagan in 1983, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, worked
at the federal level, to inform the American public through radio, print,
television PSAs, bumper stickers and posters, about a very serious and
troubling issue.
Over the years, this program has grown to include various
sponsored activities on a state, county and individual organization level
throughout the United States.
In the 2014 proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention
Month, President Obama said, “We all have a role to play in preventing child
abuse and neglect and in helping young victims recover. From parents and
guardians to educators and community leaders, each of us can help carve out
safe places for young people to build their confidence and pursue their
dreams.”
On April 8, 2014, nurses, doctors, and volunteers planted more
than 1500 pinwheels on the grounds of Meritus Medical Center. These pinwheels represent
reported cases of children who were abused and neglected in Washington County,
Maryland.
Andrea Blythe, RN, a
forensic nurse in the emergency department at Meritus Health, and coordinator
of the Interpersonal Abuse and Violence Program, stresses the importance of
bringing attention to child abuse.
"Each pinwheel we plant is one case of child abuse in our
county, that’s 1520 times that a child was neglected or abused that we know
about,” Blythe said. “The more we talk about it, the more we shed a light on
the issue, the more people will feel empowered and expected to intervene,” she
said.
Children and Abuse
According to the Centers for Disease Control, child maltreatment
is defined as, “all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18
by a parent, caregiver or another person in a custodial role.” A child can be
abused physically, sexually, emotionally or by being neglected. While all
children are at risk for abuse, children under the age of four and children
with special needs are often at the highest risk for abuse.
As a forensic nurse, Blythe, and other nurses and doctors on
her team, perform exams on adults and pediatric victims of abuse that come to
the emergency department at Meritus Health. In addition to examinations,
Meritus Health also provides counseling support through referrals to the
emergency social work team at the emergency department.
Blythe stresses that
the support that Meritus Health offers victims and families goes beyond the
emergency department, and includes community referrals for any medical
follow-up treatment that may be needed.
“We work to ensure that all of the patient’s questions and
needs are addressed prior to discharge, and that they have a safe place to go.”
Blythe said. This is accomplished by working with community programs such as CASA
(Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused).
Perpetrators and
Abuse
There are several factors that contribute to child
abuse. The CDC says that these can
include a history of abuse in the family, a constant rotation of caregivers in
and out of the home, substance and/ or mental health issues experienced by a
care giver or parent, parenting stress and limited financial resources.
According to a 2013 report from the CDC that provided child
abuse statistics from 2011, 80 percent of children are abused by their parents
and only 2.9 percent of abusers were people that the children did not know.
Child Abuse
Statistics
Below, are some statistics provided by the CDC that help to
outline the impact that Child abuse has on society across the spectrum.
- In 2011, child protective services (CPS), received approximately 3.7 million referrals for child abuse and neglect.
- The lifetime economic cost of handling child abuse and neglect cases in the United States totals approximately $124 billion.
- In 2011, approximately 1,750 children died as a result of child abuse.
- Non- CPS studies indicate that approximately 1 in 7 children in the U.S. experience some form of child abuse in their lifetime.
Community
Resources and Help
While child abuse is a challenging topic to tackle, it must
be handled directly, and with care to ensure the protection of children. Blythe
echoes that sentiment, “We have to move away from a culture of silence towards
a culture of protection,” she said.
Below, are some resources that victims of abuse and families
can utilize for assistance in the community.
Citizens Assisting
and Sheltering the Abused-(CASA)
Provides shelter for victims of sexual assault and domestic
violence. (301)-739-8975
Washington County
Department of Social Services
Provides both child and adult protective services. Can
assist with providing referrals to other community agencies, and financial
assistance to those who qualify for services. Also handles investigations of
suspected abuse (240)-313-2100
/24-hour hotline (240)-420-2222
Safe Place-
Washington County Child Advocacy Center
Provides victims of sexual abuse and care takers with
counseling services, interviews and medical treatment. (240)-420-4308
By Mark H. Russ
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